What should I eat if I have Gout?

Gout is primarily an ailment of the joints. It is a form of arthritis, and it is often a very painful condition. It occurs due to the accumulation of needle like uric acid crystals in the spaces between the joints. Typically, gout begins at the toes, and gradually, it affects the other joints such as ankles, fingers, wrists, elbows and knees. One of the major causes for gout is poor eating habits. If you are regularly eating foods that are rich in a compound known as purine, you are more prone to suffer from gout. Uric acid in the body is produced as a result of the breakdown of purine. When there is excess quantity of uric acid in the body, crystal formation starts taking place, which ultimately leads to the development of gout.

Some of the common symptoms of gout are as follows:

• Swelling with severe pain around your joints

• Stiffening of joints due to white lumps below your skin and around the joints

• Redness around your joint

• Mild fever (in some cases)

Some of the causes for gout or for the increase in the body’s uric acid levels are as follows:

• Eating in excess foods that contain high quantities of purine

• Reduced excretion of uric acid by your kidneys, or in other words, urinating infrequently

• Other ailments that may cause an increase in uric acid

• Family history of gout.

These are some of the major causes for gout in a person.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a gout treatment diet. However, if you have a family history of gout, or have been diagnosed with gout, you should opt for a diet to prevent gout, which is similar to the diet for people with gout. Essentially, both diets recommend eating food with less purine. Here are some of the foods that should be avoided if you have gout, or fear that you may develop it.

• Liver, kidneys, beef, and meat extracts

• Sea food such as crabs and fish roes, including mackerel, herring, and sardines

• Poultry products

• Vegetables like potatoes, dry peas, corn, cauliflower, spinach, green peas, asparagus, and mushrooms

• Lentils

• Alcoholic beverages, especially beer

answered by G M

For Gout attacks, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofin (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) may provide relief if case in not too severe, but you must never take any medicine on an empty stomach, such as these. However, for severe case of Gout, your doctor may prescribe a cortico-steroid drug such as prednisone. Once the acute attack is under control, your doctor may recommend preventative measures to slow the rate at which your body produces uric acid or to increase the rate at which it is excreted. However, there are side affects and your doctor can go over them with you if needed.

answered by C B

• When an attack of gout strikes, eat lots of fruits and vegetables for 1-2 weeks.

• Consume ½ pound of fresh cherries or drink organic cherry juice. Cherries have been shown to be effective in lowering uric acid levels and preventing gout.

• Drink plenty of water. This will help rehydrate the body and flush excess uric acid out of the body.

• Reduce or eliminate the consumption of meats, fried foods and foods high in purine. Purine foods include asparagus, meat gravies and broths, mushrooms, mussels and sardines.

• If you are overweight, consider shedding a few pounds. Weight loss lowers serum uric acid levels. Avoid crash dieting however.

• Incorporate flax seed or omega 3 oil into your diet to help reduce inflammation and tissue damage.

• Burdock root can help rid the body of acidic waste build up and help supports normal uric acid levels in the body.

• To help reduce joint inflammation and swelling as well as reduce the uric acid build-up in the body, supplement with Joint Support or Joint-Ease.

• To alleviate the pain and reduce the inflammation experienced during a flair-up, try Ayurvedic Joint Health.

answered by R L

answered by C W

Gout occurs as a result of accumulation of uric acid, which is broken down from purine-rich foods, such as, yeast, beer, mushroom, anchovies, sardines in oil, fish roes, herring, spinach, organ meat, asparagus,legumes, cauliflower and meat gravies. Foods which may be beneficial to people with gout include dark berries, lean meats,low fat dairy products, tofu (a better choice than meats),eggs, certain fatty acids found in salmon, flax or olive oil. It is important to take a moderate amount of protein, 2-3 litres of fluids/day, prescribed medications, a balanced diet and exercise.

answered by r k